Creek Turnpike - Mountain Bike Trail

The Creek Turnpike Trail is a paved trail that was built in conjunction with the Creek Turnpike and parallels it. There is a short climb at the beginning, but after that, there aren’t any technical features that you have to watch out for. It is, however, fairly long at 6.27 miles, so you will get a good workout going from one end to the other and then turning back. Also, you must cross the road in several places, so watch out for cars.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The Creek Turnpike Trail begins at the east end of the Arkansas River, slightly north of the Creek Turnpike Toll Road and south of the Jenks Pedestrian Bridge. An Outback Steakhouse and the Tulsa Runner running store should be near the trailhead.

The other end of the trail is at S Garnett Rd, near 96^th Street and The Park Church of Christ. Being a point-to-point trail, you can start and end your ride at either point, depending on where you’re coming from, but we started on the east end of the Arkansas River.

You’ll have to climb a fairly steep section of the trail from the trailhead to the Crossing at S. Harvard Avenue. This section of the trails offers different paths for those ascending and descending, so there shouldn’t be much bike traffic coming at you.

From here, you’ll cross from the north to the south side of the Creek Turnpike. The trail continues on the south side past Crown Pointe and Hunter’s Pointe, and you’ll eventually cross S Yale Avenue into the Sun Meadow area.

Just before you reach the Fry Ditch Creek, you’ll again cross the Creek Turnpike, then cross the Fry Ditch Creek. From here, you’ll ride for roughly 250 meters to S Sheridan Rd. The trail crosses the Creek turnpike back to the south side at this point; then, you’ll cross the S Sheridan Rd.

You’ll ride along the Fry Ditch Creek for a few hundred meters in the Saddlebrook area, then continue riding straight to the Junction of the Creek Turnpike and Memorial Dr. You’ll cross Memorial Drive at the Memorial Creek Apartment homes, then continue along the Creek Turnpike past Ridge Point and Cedar Ridge Park.

You’ll also ride past the intersection with the Mingo Trail on your left about 550 meters past the Mingo Rd crossing. You’ll cross the road again on E 96^th St and ride past the Hope For The World International before coming to the end of the trail at S Garnett Rd.

Past this point, you’ll be riding on the liberty trail so you can decide whether to turn back or keep going.

We noticed plenty of traffic at some of the at-grade road crossings, so be careful. Also, you’ll likely have to share the trail with dog walkers and runners.

Additional Trail Features

• Extra fees; There are no charges for using this multi-use trail.
• Obstacles; Except for the small climb at the beginning, there aren’t any obstacles to worry about.
• Shuttles; Despite being fairly urban, no public transport vehicle routes are near this paved trail.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

Sights of interest here include the Arkansas River, the Okononame 143014 River, and Fry Ditch Creek.

Recommendations/Precautions

• Keep your eyes peeled on the at-grade road crossings for cars so you don’t end up in an accident.